Residents differ over fix for safety on Route 140

Monday

Dec 31, 2012 at 6:00 AMDec 31, 2012 at 6:28 AM

By Paula J. Owen TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Mark J. Fiandaca and his wife, Alex Fiandaca, love almost everything about their 1843 Greek Revival home in the historic village of East Princeton, including the old rock wall in the front yard next to Route 140.

Yet, as much as they love their home and their rock wall, the Fiandacas do not have a “save our yard” sign displayed in their front yard like several other homes along Route 140 in the historic district.

That is because of what they don't love. They and residents living in the “village” love its charming character, but are disturbed over the thousands of high-speed commuters who travel the dangerously narrow route into Worcester every day, and the lack of sidewalks on the road.

They're also concerned about the dangerous old bridge on the roadway that they say is in desperate need of repairs as well as the poor drainage issues that plague areas along the route.

The couple say they see a project that will improve safety on the road and quality of life for residents in the village as an opportunity, and say those displaying signs are acting out of fear — not going on facts.

“It is fear from lack of information,” Mr. Fiandaca said about the signs running along each side of the road. “In the absence of information, people fill in the worst possible scenario.”

One of those scenarios that people are concerned about is the possibility of widening Route 140, they said, and losing a portion of what little precious land they have in their front yards.

“We don't want to lose our rock wall, either,” Mrs. Fiandaca said. “We're trying to see what we can do within the existing footprint of the road without taking anyone's yard.”

Engineers are coming up with ways to improve safety, add sidewalks and calm traffic, she said, but nothing is set in stone, yet, and if the town is successful in receiving state funding, the project would not begin for another five years.

Ms. Fiandaca served on the now-dissolved Route 140 Safety Improvement Task Force chaired by former Princeton Town Administrator Dennis E. Rindone, who relentlessly pursued safety improvements to the road before he died. The task force looked at concerns along Route 140 through Westminster, Princeton and Sterling, and considered possible safety improvements, including widening the road in places, improving lighting, installing traffic controls and improving drainage. As for the latter, culverts beneath the road are reported to be clogged, undersized and in poor condition.

Ms. Fiandaca also serves on the Historic Commission and the Friends of Mechanics Hall that is working to save the 1852 building on Route 140.

“We need to weigh the positive impacts of improving the road versus the space that is lost,” she added. “It is a compromise, but if it comes to the point we are losing too much, it won't be worth it.”

Judy A. Tyler also serves on the Friends of Mechanics Hall and has lived in an antique, 1860s contemporized barn at Route 140 and Gleason Road for 25 years.

“We do not want it widened and do not want a rotary (at the intersection of Route 31),” she said.

The town, she said, is listening to people who live in the village and working with engineers on their concerns.

“Plans are still in the talking stage,” she said.

Brothers Brandon H. Berube, 21, and Robert R. Berube, 23, agree the road is dangerous, but are not sure what should be done. Their father owns two homes on Route . 140 near the Kwik Stop convenience store. Their grandmother lives in one and Robert lives in the other.

Brandon Berube says tractor-trailers make hazardous conditions worse. Truck drivers and commuters use Route 140 as a shortcut in and out of Worcester, he said.

“It saves 10 minutes instead of taking (Interstate) 190 to (Route) 2,” he said. “Ten years ago there wasn't that much traffic. We'd ride our bikes in the road all the time and there would never be cars.”

His brother said although traffic is fast on the road, he doesn't want to see any changes made to it.

Widening the road would impact his front yard, he said.

“I think 140 is fine,” he said. “Police regulate it pretty well.”

Inside Kwik Stop, store clerk Melissa J. Braconnier said she thinks widening the road and other improvements would cut down on accidents.

Bicyclists also routinely travel the narrow roadway, she said.

“People don't slow down when they go through the historic district,” Ms. Braconnier said.

David Acton, who lives in an 1800s home on the road, said he feels project proponents are considering the rights of the drivers more than the property owners because there are so many of them. And, to those drivers, it is just a highway into Worcester they travel at 50 to 60 miles per hour, though the posted speed limit is 30.

“The police don't stop people during commute time because there is literally thousands of them,” he said.

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